Laundry appliances anti-theft systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A method of operating a laundry appliance includes initiating an operation cycle of the laundry appliance and locking the laundry appliance after initiating the operation cycle of the laundry appliance. The method also includes providing a status notification on a remote user interface device after initiating the operation cycle. The status notification comprising a status of the operation cycle. The method further includes authorizing a user of the laundry appliance via the remote user interface device after providing the status notification.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to systems and methods forsecuring a laundry appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Laundry appliances generally include washing machine appliances anddryer appliances. Some laundry appliances are publicly available, suchas commercial laundry appliances available for rent, e.g., in alaundromat. Operation cycles of laundry appliances, e.g., wash cycles ina washing machine or drying cycles in a dryer appliance, can take asignificant amount of time. For this reason, many users choose not towait while the laundry appliance is running. Instead, such users may runerrands or otherwise leave the laundry appliance unattended duringoperation.

Unattended operation of a laundry appliance in a public place can berisky, however. In some cases, the user's clothes may be stolen, oranother person may co-opt the user's paid for laundry cycle by removingthe user's laundry and replacing it with the other person's laundry.

Thus, systems and methods for enhancing security of public or commerciallaundry appliances would be beneficial. For example, systems and methodsfor ensuring that only the authorized user can adjust or interrupt theoperation cycle of the commercial laundry appliance and/or access thelaundry appliance when the operation cycle is complete are desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method ofoperating a laundry appliance is provided. The method includesperforming an operation cycle of the laundry appliance and locking thelaundry appliance during the operation cycle. The method also includesproviding a status notification on a remote user interface device. Thestatus notification comprising a status of the operation cycle. Themethod further includes authorizing a user of the laundry appliance viathe remote user interface device after providing the statusnotification.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, amethod of operating a laundry appliance is provided. The method includesinitiating an operation cycle of the laundry appliance and locking thelaundry appliance after initiating the operation cycle of the laundryappliance. The method also includes providing a status notification on aremote user interface device after initiating the operation cycle. Thestatus notification comprising a status of the operation cycle. Themethod further includes authorizing a user of the laundry appliance viathe remote user interface device after providing the statusnotification.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures.

FIG. 1 provides a front view of an exemplary washing machine applianceand an exemplary dryer appliance in accordance with one or moreexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a transverse cross-sectional view of the exemplarywashing machine appliance of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of the exemplary dryer appliance ofFIG. 1 with portions of a cabinet of the dryer appliance removed toreveal certain components of the dryer appliance.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic diagram of a laundry appliance incommunication with a remote user interface device and a remote computingdevice according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 provides a flowchart illustrating an example method of operatinga group of laundry appliances according to one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example method of operating a laundryappliance according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “generally,” or “about”include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value.When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms includewithin ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction.For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degreesof vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Exemplary laundry appliances are illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 ,e.g., a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance. In variousembodiments of the present subject matter, a laundry appliance may beany suitable laundry appliance, such as a washing machine appliance, adryer appliance, a combination washer-dryer appliance, etc.

As may be seen generally throughout FIGS. 1 through 3 , a user interfacepanel 100 and a user input device 102 may be positioned on an exteriorof the laundry appliance. The user input device 102 is generallypositioned proximate to the user interface panel 100, and in someembodiments, the user input device 102 may be positioned on the userinterface panel 100.

In various embodiments, the user interface panel 100 may represent ageneral purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In someembodiments, the user interface panel 100 may include or be in operativecommunication with user input device 102, such as one or more of avariety of digital, analog, electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanicalinput devices including rotary dials, control knobs, push buttons, andtouch pads. The user interface panel 100 may include a display component104, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provideoperational feedback to a user. The display component 104 may also be atouchscreen capable of receiving a user input, such that the displaycomponent 104 may also be a user input device in addition to or insteadof the user input device 102.

Generally, each appliance may include a controller 210 in operativecommunication with the user input device 102. The user interface panel100 and the user input device 102 may be in communication with thecontroller 210 via, for example, one or more signal lines or sharedcommunication busses. Input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed betweencontroller 210 and various operational components of the appliance.Operation of the appliance can be regulated by the controller 210 thatis operatively coupled to the user interface panel 100. A user interfacepanel 100 may for example provide selections for user manipulation ofthe operation of an appliance, e.g., via user input device 102 and/ordisplay 104. In response to user manipulation of the user interfacepanel 100 and/or user input device 102, the controller 210 may operatevarious components of the appliance. Controller 210 may include a memoryand one or more microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general orspecial purpose microprocessors operable to execute programminginstructions or micro-control code associated with operation of theappliance. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM,or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, theprocessor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memorymay be a separate component from the processor or may be includedonboard within the processor. Alternatively, a controller 210 may beconstructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination ofdiscrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches,amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and thelike) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

The controller 210 may be programmed to operate the appliance byexecuting instructions stored in memory. For example, the instructionsmay be software or any set of instructions that when executed by theprocessing device, cause the processing device to perform operations.Controller 210 can include one or more processor(s) and associatedmemory device(s) configured to perform a variety of computer-implementedfunctions and/or instructions (e.g. performing the methods, steps,calculations and the like and storing relevant data as disclosedherein). It should be noted that controllers 210 as disclosed herein arecapable of and may be operable to perform any methods and associatedmethod steps as disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , a laundryappliance may be a washing machine appliance 10 or a dryer appliance 11,and a group of laundry appliances may include multiple washing machineappliances 10 or multiple dryer appliances 11. In embodiments such asillustrated in FIG. 1 , the user input device 102 of each appliance 10and 11 may be positioned on the user interface panel 100. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1 also includes a display 104 on the user interfacepanel 100 of each household appliance 10 and 11.

As generally seen throughout FIGS. 1 through 3 , in at least someembodiments, each laundry appliance 10 and 11 includes a cabinet 12which defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and atransverse direction T that are mutually perpendicular. Each cabinet 12extends between a top side 16 and a bottom side 14 along the verticaldirection V. Each cabinet 12 also extends between a left side 18 and aright side 20, e.g., along the lateral direction L, and between a frontside 22 and a rear side 24 along the transverse direction T.

Additional exemplary details of each laundry appliance are illustratedin FIGS. 2 and 3 . For example, FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional viewof the exemplary washing machine appliance 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a wash tub 124 is non-rotatably mounted within cabinet 12. As may beseen in FIG. 2 , the wash tub 124 defines a central axis 101. In theexample embodiment illustrated by FIG. 2 , the central axis 101 may beoriented generally along or parallel to the transverse direction T ofthe washing machine appliance 10. Accordingly, the washing machineappliance 10 may be referred to as a horizontal axis washing machine.

Referring again to FIG. 2 , a wash basket 120 is rotatably mountedwithin the tub 124 such that the wash basket 120 is rotatable about anaxis of rotation, which generally coincides with central axis 101 of thetub 124. A motor 122, e.g., such as a pancake motor, is in mechanicalcommunication with wash basket 120 to selectively rotate wash basket 120(e.g., during an agitation or a rinse cycle of washing machine appliance10). Wash basket 120 defines a wash chamber 126 that is configured forreceipt of articles for washing. The wash tub 124 holds wash and rinsefluids for agitation in wash basket 120 within wash tub 124. As usedherein, “wash fluid” may refer to water, detergent, fabric softener,bleach, or any other suitable wash additive or combination thereof. Thewash basket 120 and the tub 124 may collectively define at least aportion of a tub assembly for the washing machine appliance 10.

Wash basket 120 may define one or more agitator features that extendinto wash chamber 126 to assist in agitation and cleaning of articlesdisposed within wash chamber 126 during operation of washing machineappliance 10. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , a plurality ofribs 128 extends from basket 120 into wash chamber 126. In this manner,for example, ribs 128 may lift articles disposed in wash basket 120during rotation of wash basket 120.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 2 , cabinet 12 also includes a frontpanel 130 which defines an opening 132 that permits user access to washbasket 120 within wash tub 124. More specifically, washing machineappliance 10 includes a door 134 that is positioned in front of opening132 and is rotatably mounted to front panel 130. Door 134 is rotatablesuch that door 134 permits selective access to opening 132 by rotatingbetween an open position (not shown) facilitating access to a wash tub124 and a closed position (FIG. 1 ) prohibiting access to wash tub 124.

A window 136 in door 134 permits viewing of wash basket 120 when door134 is in the closed position, e.g., during operation of washing machineappliance 10. Door 134 also includes a handle (not shown) that, e.g., auser may pull when opening and closing door 134. Further, although door134 is illustrated as mounted to front panel 130, it should beappreciated that door 134 may be mounted to another side of cabinet 12or any other suitable support according to alternative embodiments.

Referring again to FIG. 2 , wash basket 120 also defines a plurality ofperforations 140 in order to facilitate fluid communication between aninterior of basket 120 and wash tub 124. A sump 142 is defined by washtub 124 at a bottom of wash tub 124 along the vertical direction V.Thus, sump 142 is configured for receipt of and generally collects washfluid during operation of washing machine appliance 10. For example,during operation of washing machine appliance 10, wash fluid may beurged by gravity from basket 120 to sump 142 through plurality ofperforations 140. A pump assembly 144 is located beneath tub 124 forgravity assisted flow when draining tub 124, e.g., via a drain 146. Pumpassembly 144 may be configured for recirculating wash fluid within washtub 124.

A spout 150 is configured for directing a flow of fluid into wash tub124. For example, spout 150 may be in fluid communication with a watersupply (not shown) in order to direct fluid (e.g., clean water) intowash tub 124. Spout 150 may also be in fluid communication with the sump142. For example, pump assembly 144 may direct wash fluid disposed insump 142 to spout 150 in order to circulate wash fluid in wash tub 124.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , a detergent drawer 152 is slidably mountedwithin front panel 130. Detergent drawer 152 receives a wash additive(e.g., detergent, fabric softener, bleach, or any other suitable liquidor powder) and directs the fluid additive to wash chamber 124 duringoperation of washing machine appliance 10. According to the illustratedembodiment, detergent drawer 152 may also be fluidly coupled to spout150 to facilitate the complete and accurate dispensing of wash additive.

Additionally, a bulk reservoir 154 is disposed within cabinet 12. Bulkreservoir 154 is also configured for receipt of fluid additive for useduring operation of washing machine appliance 10. Bulk reservoir 154 issized such that a volume of fluid additive sufficient for a plurality ormultitude of wash cycles of washing machine appliance 10 (e.g., five,ten, twenty, fifty, or any other suitable number of wash cycles) mayfill bulk reservoir 154. Thus, for example, a user can fill bulkreservoir 154 with fluid additive and operate washing machine appliance10 for a plurality of wash cycles without refilling bulk reservoir 154with fluid additive. A reservoir pump 156 is configured for selectivedelivery of the fluid additive from bulk reservoir 154 to wash tub 124.

During operation of washing machine appliance 10, e.g., during a washcycle of the washing machine appliance 10, a laundry items are loadedinto wash basket 120 through opening 132, and washing operation isinitiated through operator manipulation of input selectors 102. Wash tub124 is filled with water, detergent, and/or other fluid additives, e.g.,via spout 150 and/or detergent drawer 152. One or more valves (notshown) can be controlled by washing machine appliance 10 to provide forfilling wash basket 120 to the appropriate level for the amount ofarticles being washed and/or rinsed. By way of example for a wash mode,once wash basket 120 is properly filled with fluid, the contents of washbasket 120 can be agitated (e.g., with ribs 128) for washing of laundryitems in wash basket 120.

After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, wash tub 124can be drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again addingfluid to wash tub 124, depending on the particulars of the cleaningcycle selected by a user. Ribs 128 may again provide agitation withinwash basket 120. One or more spin cycles may also be used. Inparticular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle and/orafter the rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articlesbeing washed. During a spin cycle, basket 120 is rotated at relativelyhigh speeds. After articles disposed in wash basket 120 are cleanedand/or washed, the user can remove the articles from wash basket 120,e.g., by opening door 134 and reaching into wash basket 120 throughopening 132.

While described in the context of a specific embodiment of horizontalaxis washing machine appliance 10, using the teachings disclosed hereinit will be understood that horizontal axis washing machine appliance 10is provided by way of example only. It should be appreciated that thepresent subject matter is not limited to any particular style, model, orconfiguration of washing machine appliance. Other washing machineappliances having different configurations, different appearances,and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subjectmatter as well, e.g., vertical axis washing machine appliances.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of the dryer appliance 11 of FIG. 1 ,which is an example embodiment of a laundry appliance, with a portion ofa cabinet or housing 12 of dryer appliance 11 removed in order to showcertain components of dryer appliance 11. Dryer appliance 11 generallydefines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transversedirection T, each of which is mutually perpendicular, such that anorthogonal coordinate system is defined. While described in the contextof a specific embodiment of dryer appliance 11, using the teachingsdisclosed herein, it will be understood that dryer appliance 11 isprovided by way of example only. Other dryer appliances having differentappearances and different features may also be utilized with the presentsubject matter as well.

Cabinet 12 includes a front side 22 and a rear side 24 spaced apart fromeach other along the transverse direction T. Within cabinet 12, aninterior volume 29 is defined. A drum or container 26 is mounted forrotation about a substantially horizontal axis within the interiorvolume 29. Drum 26 defines a chamber 25 for receipt of articles ofclothing for tumbling and/or drying. Drum 26 extends between a frontportion 37 and a back portion 38. Drum 26 also includes a back or rearwall 34, e.g., at back portion 38 of drum 26. A supply duct 41 may bemounted to rear wall 34 and receives heated air that has been heated bya heating assembly or system 40.

As used herein, the terms “clothing” or “articles” includes but need notbe limited to fabrics, textiles, garments, linens, papers, or otheritems from which the extraction of moisture is desirable. Furthermore,the term “load” or “laundry load” refers to the combination of clothingthat may be washed together in a washing machine or dried together in adryer appliance 11 (e.g., clothes dryer) and may include a mixture ofdifferent or similar articles of clothing of different or similar typesand kinds of fabrics, textiles, garments and linens within a particularlaundering process.

A motor 31 is provided in some embodiments to rotate drum 26 about thehorizontal axis, e.g., via a pulley and a belt (not pictured). Drum 26is generally cylindrical in shape, having an outer cylindrical wall 28and a front flange or wall 30 that defines an opening 32 of drum 26,e.g., at front portion 37 of drum 26, for loading and unloading ofarticles into and out of chamber 25 of drum 26. A plurality of liftersor baffles 27 are provided within chamber 25 of drum 26 to lift articlestherein and then allow such articles to tumble back to a bottom of drum26 as drum 26 rotates. Baffles 27 may be mounted to drum 26 such thatbaffles 27 rotate with drum 26 during operation of dryer appliance 11.

The rear wall 34 of drum 26 may be rotatably supported within thecabinet 12 by a suitable fixed bearing. Rear wall 34 can be fixed or canbe rotatable. Rear wall 34 may include, for instance, a plurality ofholes that receive hot air that has been heated by heating system 40.The heating system 40 may include, e.g., a heat pump, an electricheating element, and/or a gas heating element (e.g., gas burner).Moisture laden, heated air is drawn from drum 26 by an air handler, suchas blower fan 48, which generates a negative air pressure within drum26. The moisture laden heated air passes through a duct 44 enclosingscreen filter 46, which traps lint particles. As the air passes fromblower fan 48, it enters a duct 50 and then is passed into heatingsystem 40. In some embodiments, the dryer appliance 11 may be aconventional dryer appliance, e.g., the heating system 40 may be orinclude an electric heating element, e.g., a resistive heating element,or a gas-powered heating element, e.g., a gas burner. In otherembodiments, the dryer appliance may be a condensation dryer, such as aheat pump dryer. In such embodiments, heating system 40 may be orinclude a heat pump including a sealed refrigerant circuit. Heated air(with a lower moisture content than was received from drum 26), exitsheating system 40 and returns to drum 26 by duct 41. After the clothingarticles have been dried, they are removed from the drum 26 via opening32. A door (FIG. 1 ) provides for closing or accessing drum 26 throughopening 32.

In some embodiments, one or more selector inputs 102, such as knobs,buttons, touchscreen interfaces, etc., may be provided or mounted on thecabinet 12 (e.g., on a backsplash 71) and are in operable communication(e.g., electrically coupled or coupled through a wireless network band)with the processing device or controller 210. Controller 210 may also beprovided in operable communication with components of the dryerappliance 11 including motor 31, blower 48, or heating system 40. Inturn, signals generated in controller 210 direct operation of motor 31,blower 48, or heating system 40 in response to the position of inputs102. As used herein, “processing device” or “controller” may refer toone or more microprocessors, microcontroller, ASICS, or semiconductordevices and is not restricted necessarily to a single element. Thecontroller 210 may be programmed to operate dryer appliance 11 byexecuting instructions stored in memory (e.g., non-transitory media).The controller 56 may include, or be associated with, one or more memoryelements such as RAM, ROM, or electrically erasable, programmable readonly memory (EEPROM). For example, the instructions may be software orany set of instructions that when executed by the processing device,cause the processing device to perform operations. It should be notedthat controllers as disclosed herein are capable of and may be operableto perform any methods and associated method steps as disclosed herein.For example, in some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may beembodied in programming instructions stored in the memory and executedby the controller 210.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , a general schematic of a laundry appliance 1002,which may be, e.g., the washing machine appliance 10 or the dryerappliance 11 described above, and communication features thereof isprovided. FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a laundry appliance 1002,which may be, for example, one of the laundry appliances 10 or 11 ofFIGS. 1 through 3 , among other possible example laundry appliances,which communicates wirelessly with a remote user interface device 1000.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , the laundry appliance 1002 mayinclude an antenna 90 by which the laundry appliance 1002 communicateswith, e.g., sends and receives signals to and from, the remote userinterface device 1000. The laundry appliance 1002 may communicate withthe remote user interface device 1000 over a direct wirelesscommunication link or over an indirect wireless communication link, suchas via a remote server, a network, or cloud 1100. The remote userinterface device 1000 may be a laptop computer, smartphone, tablet,personal computer, wearable device, smart home system, and/or variousother suitable devices.

The laundry appliance 1002 may be in communication with the remote userinterface device 1000 device through various possible communicationconnections and interfaces. The laundry appliance 1002 and the remoteuser interface device 1000 may be matched in wireless communication,e.g., connected to the same wireless network. The laundry appliance 1002may communicate with the remote user interface device 1000 viashort-range radio such as BLUETOOTH® or any other suitable wirelessnetwork having a layer protocol architecture. As used herein,“short-range” may include ranges less than about ten meters and up toabout one hundred meters. For example, the wireless network may beadapted for short-wavelength ultra-high frequency (UHF) communicationsin a band between 2.4 GHz and 2.485 GHz (e.g., according to the IEEE802.15.1 standard). In particular, BLUETOOTH® Low Energy, e.g.,BLUETOOTH® Version 4.0 or higher, may advantageously provide short-rangewireless communication between the appliance 10 and the remote userinterface device 1000. For example, BLUETOOTH® Low Energy mayadvantageously minimize the power consumed by the exemplary methods anddevices described herein due to the low power networking protocol ofBLUETOOTH® Low Energy.

The remote user interface device 1000 is “remote” at least in that it isspaced apart from and not physically connected to the laundry appliance1002, e.g., the remote user interface device 1000 is a separate,stand-alone device from the laundry appliance 1002 which communicateswith the laundry appliance 1002 wirelessly. Any suitable device separatefrom the laundry appliance 1002 that is configured to provide and/orreceive communications, information, data, or commands from a user mayserve as the remote user interface device 1000, such as a smartphone(e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 4 ), smart watch, personal computer, smarthome system, or other similar device. For example, the remote userinterface device 1000 may be a smartphone operable to store and runapplications, also known as “apps,” and some or all of the method stepsdisclosed herein may be performed by a smartphone app.

The remote user interface device 1000 may include a memory for storingand retrieving programming instructions. Thus, the remote user interfacedevice 1000 may provide a remote user interface which may be anadditional user interface to the user interface panel 100. For example,the remote user interface device 1000 may be a smartphone operable tostore and run applications, also known as “apps,” and the remote userinterface may be provided as a smartphone app.

As mentioned above, the laundry appliance 1002 may also be configured tocommunicate wirelessly with the cloud 1100, e.g., one or more remotecomputing devices, such as a remote database, remote server, etc., in adistributed computing environment. For example, the cloud 1100 may be orinclude a remote database which may be, e.g., a cloud-based data storagesystem. For example, the laundry appliance 1002 may communicate with thecloud 1100 over the Internet, which the laundry appliance 1002 mayaccess via WI-FI®, such as from a WI-FI® access point in a user's home.

The remote user interface device 1000 may include a memory for storingand retrieving programming instructions. Thus, the remote user interfacedevice 1000 may provide a remote user interface which may be anadditional user interface to the user interface panel 100. For example,the remote user interface device 1000 may be a smartphone operable tostore and run applications, also known as “apps,” and the remote userinterface may be provided as a smartphone app.

In some embodiments, the performance of exemplary methods and associatedmethod steps as disclosed herein may be distributed, e.g., performed inpart by the controller 210 and in part by one or more remote computingdevices in the cloud 1100 and/or remote user interface device 1000.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , embodiments of the present disclosurealso include methods of operating a laundry appliance, e.g., one of thelaundry appliances described above, such as washing machine appliance 10or dryer appliance 11, among other possible exemplary laundryappliances, such as a washer-dryer combination appliance. Exemplarymethods according to the present subject matter include the method 400illustrated in FIG. 5 and the method 500 illustrated in FIG. 6 . Methodssuch as methods 400 and 500 can be used to operate any suitable laundryappliance. For example, such methods may be utilized to operate washingmachine appliance 10 or dryer appliance 11 (FIGS. 1 through 3 ).Controller 210 of laundry appliance 10 or 11 may be programmed toimplement method 400 and/or 500, e.g., controller 210 is capable of andmay be operable to perform any methods and associated method steps asdisclosed herein. In some embodiments, the controller 210 may performmethod steps in combination with one or more remote computing devices,such as a remote database or remote processor or one or more otherremote computing devices, e.g., in the cloud. In such embodiments, thecontroller 210 may communicate with such remote computing device ordevices via the internet, among other possible communications means. Forexample, some embodiments of the methods disclosed herein may includedistributed computing whereby certain steps orcalculations/determinations are performed locally, e.g., by thecontroller 210 onboard the laundry appliance 10 or 11, while other stepsor calculations/determinations are performed by a remote computingdevice with which the controller 210 communicates via the internet.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the method 400 may include a step 410 ofperforming an operation cycle of the laundry appliance. The operationcycle may be any laundry cycle, such as a wash cycle in washing machineappliance, a dry cycle in a dryer appliance, or both on in a combinationlaundry appliance, among other possible laundry cycles. The operationcycle may be performed in response to a user input, e.g., receivedlocally, such as with user interface panel 100, or remotely, such as viaa remote user interface device, e.g., remote user interface device 1000described above in reference to FIG. 4 .

Method 400 may further include a step 420 of locking the laundryappliance, such as locking the laundry appliance during the operationcycle. Locking the laundry appliance may include locking a door or lidof the laundry appliance. Locking the laundry appliance may also orinstead include locking the controls of the laundry appliance, such asdisabling the local interface or local input devices, e.g., input device102 (FIG. 1 ), of the laundry appliance, such that commands, settings,or other input received from the local input device or devices are notimplemented while the laundry appliance remains locked. The localinterface or local input devices may also include, for example, the userinterface panel 100 (FIG. 1 ) and all input components thereof, e.g.,display 104 in embodiments where display 104 is a touchscreen, and anyother buttons, switches, etc., on the user interface panel 100. Forexample, in embodiments where the laundry appliance does not include alock on the door or lid, locking the laundry appliance may include onlylocking the controls.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , method 400 may also include a step 430 ofproviding a status notification on a remote user interface device. Thestatus notification may include or indicate a status of the operationcycle, such as when the operation cycle is completed or when theoperation cycle is changed or interrupted. For example, the statusnotification may indicate that a change in or interruption to theoperation cycle was attempted, such as via the local controls (inputdevices) on the laundry appliance. Thus, the status notification may bea pause notification, e.g., the status notification may include anindication that the operation cycle was paused or interrupted (or anattempt was made to pause or interrupt the operation cycle), such as bypressing a pause button or opening or attempting to open the door or lidof the laundry appliance (particularly in laundry appliances that do notinclude a lid lock or door lock).

In some embodiments, method 400 may include a step 440 of authorizing auser of the laundry appliance via the remote user interface device afterproviding the status notification. For example, the user may beauthenticated and/or authorized using any suitable means, such asentering a password, drawing a predetermined unlock pattern, etc., orusing biometrics such as voice recognition, facial recognition, orfingerprint scan, or other biometrics. In some embodiments, the userauthorization may include combinations of any two or more of theforegoing authorization means, such as a password and retina scan, amongnumerous other possible examples and combinations.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 6 , in additional embodiments, amethod 500 of operating a laundry appliance may include a step 510 ofinitiating an operation cycle of the laundry appliance. The operationcycle may be any laundry cycle, such as a wash cycle in washing machineappliance, a dry cycle in a dryer appliance, or both on in a combinationlaundry appliance, among other possible laundry cycles. Initiating theoperation cycle may include performing at least one first, e.g.,initial, step of the operation cycle, such as a fill step in a washcycle or a preheat step in a dry cycle, etc. The operation cycle may beinitiated in response to a user input, e.g., received locally, such aswith user interface panel 100, or remotely, such as via a remote userinterface device, e.g., remote user interface device 1000 describedabove in reference to FIG. 4 .

Method 500 may further include a step 520 of locking the laundryappliance, such as locking the laundry appliance after initiating theoperation cycle. Locking the laundry appliance may include locking adoor of the laundry appliance. Locking the laundry appliance may also orinstead include locking the controls of the laundry appliance, such asdisabling the local interface or local input devices, e.g., input device102 (FIG. 1 ), of the laundry appliance, such that commands, settings,or other input received from the local input device or devices are notimplemented while the laundry appliance remains locked. The localinterface or local input devices may also include, for example, the userinterface panel 100 (FIG. 1 ) and all input components thereof, e.g.,display 104 in embodiments where display 104 is a touchscreen, and anyother buttons, switches, etc., on the user interface panel 100. Forexample, in embodiments where the laundry appliance does not include alock on the door or lid, locking the laundry appliance may include onlylocking the controls.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 , method 500 may also include a step 530 ofproviding a status notification. The status notification may be providedon a remote user interface device. The status notification may beprovided after initiating the operation cycle, such as after initiatingthe operation cycle and before completing the operation cycle, e.g.,during the operation cycle, and/or after completing the operation cycle.The status notification may include or indicate a status of theoperation cycle, such as when the operation cycle is completed or whenthe operation cycle is changed or interrupted. For example, the statusnotification may indicate that a change in or interruption to theoperation cycle was attempted, such as via the local controls (inputdevices) on the laundry appliance. Thus, the status notification may bea pause notification, e.g., the status notification may include anindication that the operation cycle was paused or interrupted (or anattempt was made to pause or interrupt the operation cycle), such as bypressing a pause button or opening or attempting to open the door or lidof the laundry appliance (particularly in laundry appliances that do notinclude a lid lock or door lock).

In some embodiments, method 500 may include a step 540 of authorizing auser of the laundry appliance via the remote user interface device afterproviding the status notification. For example, the user may beauthenticated and/or authorized using any suitable means, such asentering a password, drawing a predetermined unlock pattern, etc., orusing biometrics such as voice recognition, facial recognition, orfingerprint scan, or other biometrics, including combinations of any twoor more of the foregoing authorization means, such as a password andretina scan, among numerous other possible examples and combinations.

Referring now generally to FIGS. 5 and 6 , exemplary methods such as butnot limited to methods 400 and 500 may further include unlocking thelaundry appliance based on authorizing the user. For example, where thestatus notification was provided during the operation cycle, such as astatus notification that an attempt to pause the operation cycle usingthe local input device was made, unlocking the laundry appliance mayinclude enabling the local input device and/or implementing a command orother input received via the local input device. As another example,when the status notification is a notification that the operation cycleis complete, e.g., the status notification is provided after completingthe performance of the operation cycle, unlocking the laundry appliancemay include unlocking a door of the laundry appliance.

One or more exemplary methods according to the present disclosure may belocation-based. For example, the laundry appliance may only be lockedwhen the user is away and the laundry appliances is unattended. Forexample, exemplary methods according to the present disclosure may alsoinclude determining the remote user interface device is more than apredetermined threshold distance away from the laundry appliance beforeproviding the status notification. For example, where the remoteinterface device is a smartphone or smartwatch or other similar devicewhich is typically carried on the user's person, the location of theremote user interface device may be inferred as the same location of theuser. The predetermined threshold distance may be, for example, aboutfifty meters, or any other suitable distance which is large enough toindicate that the user has left the laundromat, e.g., any distance whichis greater than common dimensions of a laundromat building and/orcurtilage thereof, including associated parking lots and other ancillaryareas adjacent to the laundromat building.

In some embodiments, exemplary methods according to the presentdisclosure may further include receiving a user input with the remoteuser interface device after providing the status notification. Forexample, a pop-up or other prompt may be provided, such as on the remoteuser interface device, asking whether the user wants to continue with aselection, e.g., a pause input, or otherwise wants to unlock the laundryappliance. In such embodiments, the step of authorizing the user may beperformed in response to the user input. In particular, when the userinput is affirmative that the laundry appliance is intended to beunlocked or the operation cycle paused, etc., then the step ofauthorizing the user may be performed in response to such input.

In additional embodiments, such as when the user input is negative,e.g., the user does not wish to unlock the laundry appliance, exemplarymethods may include steps to make sure the laundry appliance is not heldunavailable to other paying customers of the laundromat for an extendedperiod of time. For example, in some embodiments, the method may furtherinclude receiving a user input with the remote user interface deviceafter providing the status notification and keeping the laundryappliance locked in response to the user input, e.g., in response to anegative user input as described above. Such embodiments may alsoinclude, after performing the operation cycle, keeping the laundryappliance locked for a predetermined amount of time. The predeterminedamount of time may be, for example, about fifteen minutes. Suchembodiments may further include, after keeping the laundry appliancelocked for the predetermined amount of time, providing a prompt topurchase additional time. Thus, exemplary methods according to thepresent disclosure may help to prevent or reduce diminished income forthe laundromat owner from the laundry appliance while the user is awayafter the operation cycle has completed, e.g., if the user forgets aboutthe laundry, another paying customer may have access to the laundryappliance after the predetermined amount of time has elapsed and/or theuser may pay to keep the laundry appliance locked after thepredetermined amount of time.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a laundry appliance, themethod comprising: performing an operation cycle of the laundryappliance; locking the laundry appliance during the operation cycle;providing a status notification on a remote user interface device, thestatus notification comprising a status of the operation cycle; andauthorizing a user of the laundry appliance via the remote userinterface device after providing the status notification.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising unlocking the laundry appliance based onauthorizing the user.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprisingreceiving a user input with the remote user interface device afterproviding the status notification, wherein the step of authorizing theuser is performed in response to the user input.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein the status notification is a notification that the operationcycle is complete and the status notification is provided afterperforming the operation cycle.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thestatus notification is a pause notification and the status notificationis provided during the step of performing the operation cycle inresponse to a pause input received via a local interface of the laundryappliance.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining theremote user interface device is more than a predetermined thresholddistance away from the laundry appliance before providing the statusnotification.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving auser input with the remote user interface device after providing thestatus notification and keeping the laundry appliance locked in responseto the user input.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising, afterperforming the operation cycle, keeping the laundry appliance locked fora predetermined amount of time.
 9. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising, after keeping the laundry appliance locked for thepredetermined amount of time, providing a prompt to purchase additionaltime.
 10. A method of operating a laundry appliance, the methodcomprising: initiating an operation cycle of the laundry appliance;locking the laundry appliance after initiating the operation cycle ofthe laundry appliance; providing a status notification on a remote userinterface device after initiating the operation cycle, the statusnotification comprising a status of the operation cycle; and authorizinga user of the laundry appliance via the remote user interface deviceafter providing the status notification.
 11. The method of claim 10,further comprising unlocking the laundry appliance based on authorizingthe user.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving auser input with the remote user interface device after providing thestatus notification, wherein the step of authorizing the user isperformed in response to the user input.
 13. The method of claim 10,further comprising completing the operation cycle, wherein the statusnotification is a notification that the operation cycle is complete andthe status notification is provided after performing the operationcycle.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the status notification is apause notification and the status notification is provided in responseto a pause input received via a local interface of the laundryappliance.
 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising determiningthe remote user interface device is more than a predetermined thresholddistance away from the laundry appliance before providing the statusnotification.
 16. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving auser input with the remote user interface device after providing thestatus notification and keeping the laundry appliance locked in responseto the user input.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprisingcompleting the operation cycle and keeping the laundry appliance lockedfor a predetermined amount of time after completing the operation cycle.18. The method of claim 8, further comprising, after keeping the laundryappliance locked for the predetermined amount of time, providing aprompt to purchase additional time.